Metallacarboranes

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a polynuclear compound comprising two or more metal-hapto-3-capped nidocarborane groups. Also provided is the use of such a compound as a catalyst in a chemical reaction such as a hydrogenation or oxidation reaction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the U.S. national phase application of PCT International Application No. PCT/GB97/02992, having an international filing date of Nov. 7, 1997 and claiming priority to Great Britain Application No. 9623311.9 filed Aug. 11, 1996, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. The above PCT International Application was published in the English language and has International Publication No. WO 98/21216.

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to metallacarboranes and to the use of metallacarboranes in the a of catalysis.

A carborane is a mixed hydride of boron and carbon containing a polyhedral framework of boron atoms which also includes one or more carbon atom. There are several classes of carboranes, two of which are of particular importance, the closo and nido categories. The prefix closo is used to designate those carboranes in which the framework is a complete deltahedron. The prefix nido designates those frameworks which are “open”, that is, one deltahedral site is incomplete.

Polyhedral closocarboranes have the formula B_(n−2)C₂H_(n)(n≧5) and they may be prepared in a variety of ways. By way of examples reference will be made to dicarba-coso-dodecaboranes. 1,2-, 1,7- and 1,12-isomers exist, known respectively as ortho-caborane, meta-carborane and para-carborane. Icosahedral carboranes have high thermal stabilities, they are air stable and exhibit considerable chemical robustness.

Ortho-carboranes, R₂C₂B₁₀H₁₀, may be prepared by reaction of decaborane adducts, B₁₀H₁₂L₂ (where L=dms, acetonitrile), with the appropriately substituted acetylene (RC═CR¹).

Meta-carborane can be prepared quantitatively by thermal isomerisation of ortho-carborane at 460° C., while para-carborane may be obtained by thermal isomerisation of the meta-isomer at 620° C. However, the high temperatures required for these isomerisations render them unsuitable as routes to most substituted carboranes and alternative routes to substituted meta- and para-carboranes are used.

The hydrogen atoms on the carbons of dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes are acidic and thus undergo reaction with organolithium reagents (such as butyllithium) to produce C-lithiated carboranes. This carboranyl carbon lithium bond is itself susceptible to electrophilic attack, providing a means of preparing substituted meta- and para-carboranes. Carboranyl Grignard agents and copper derivatives can be prepared and used in a similar manner.

Other sigma-bonded carborane metal complexes have been reported in the literature, especially complexes of transition metals. F-block metal complexes have been reported but only with lanthanum, terbium and ytterbium as well as tentative reports of complexes with samarium and europium. No sigma-bonded actinide systems have been reported. Both 1,2- and 1,7-B₁₀C₂H₁₂ can be degraded by strong bases to give isomeric B₉C₂H₁₂ ions. This removal of a BH²⁺ unit from the parent carborane can be considered to result from nucleophilic attack at the most electron-deficient boron atom of the carborane. The B₉C₂H⁻ ₁₂ ions can be protonated to form the neutral nidocarborane, B₉C₂H₁₃, which is a strong acid.

There are also many literature reports of pi-bonded metallacarboranes, again with transition metals. An actinide complex is reported by Fronczek et al in JACS, 99:6 1977 at page 1769. This results from the reaction of UCl₄ with the B₉C₂H₁₁ ²⁻ anion in tetrahydrofuran solution and inert atmosphere conditions. The complex anion [U(B₉C₂H₁₁)₂Cl₂]²⁻ has been isolated as several air-sensitive crystalline salts.

An NR₂ bridged system has been reported by Plesek in Collect. Czech Chem Comm, vol 59, 1994 at page 374. An asymmetric cobaltacarborane complex is described which contains a monoatomic nitrogen bridge between both carborane units.

In addition to the carborane monomers mentioned above, substituted monomers may be prepared, an example being as shown in accompanying FIG. 9A.

Furthermore, oligomer structures have been prepared. By way of example, a structure having two carborane units is illustrated in FIG. 9B.

In addition, cyclic structures are known. Cyclic oligomers include dimer and trimer systems in particular, but higher ring sizes may be possible. The compounds shown in FIGS. 9C (where X is CH or N) and FIG. 9D (where X is Si, Sn or As) represent examples of cyclic structures.

In general, metals can be sandwiched between two nido anions or linked to just one anion to produce an “open sandwich”. An open sandwich structure leaves the remainder of the metal coordination available for occupation by other ligands. For example, certain RH(III) clusters have been disclosed by M F Hawthorne in Mol. Struct.Energ., vol 5, 1988, page 225 as homogeneous catalyst precursors for alkene isomerization or hydrogenation.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a polynuclear compound comprising two or more metal-hapto-3-capped nidocarborane groups. Preferably, a compound of the invention has at least one other real coordination site filled by a monodentate ligand.

Preferably, the compound of the invention has a cyclic structure.

Preferably, a compound of the invention includes two or three nidocarborane groups.

One class of compounds comprises oligomers of the polynuclear compounds. ie a chain of two or more of the polynuclear compounds of the invention, suitably linked by the reaction together of chemically reactive groups on subsituents of the nidocarborane units.

A preferred compound in accordance with the present invention is one in which two or more nidocarborane groups are linked together by a phenyl, pyridyl, triazyl, B(OH), CO, SO, CH₂ or B(Ph) group, such that linear or cyclic structures are formed. The cyclic structures may have metals coordinated in the central cavity.

Preferred compounds contain a metal taken from F block metals, Rh, Co, Mn, Ru, Pd, W, Fe, Ni, Pt, Cr or Mo, and may contain the same metal at each site or different metals at each site.

A preferred metallacarborane includes two or more carborane units linked by means of a benzene ring, a pyridine ring or a triazine ring.

Preferably, the carborane units are functionalised (ie substituted) or linked in the 1,3, 1,4 or 1,5 (ie ortho, meta or para) positions. For functionalised carborane units, various substituent groups can be used including phenyl, alkyl (eg methyl) or a group (eg containing a phenyl or alkyl residue) having a reactive factional group (eg —COOH, an ester or an unsaturated group such as an ethylenic double bond). The functionalisation may or may not be symmetrical.

For the linkages within the linear or cyclic polynuclear compounds, particularly preferred units include phenyl (connected meta or para), pyridine, CO, SO, CH₂ and B(OH).

The present invention also provides a method of carrying out a chemical reaction in which a compound of any of the preceding claims acts as a catalyst in the reaction. Compounds of the invention may be of use in, for instance, hydrogenation, isomerisation, polymerisation and oxidation reactions. For instance, a compound of the invention in which the metal is Rhodium may be used as a hydrogenation catalyst and a compound of the invention in which the metal is Uranium may be used as an oxidation catalyst.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Examples of embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 to 8 illustrate 1,3 substituted compounds; their 1,4 and 1,5 substituted analogues as well as the corresponding unsubstituted compounds are of course included in the invention, as are the substituted variants of the FIG. 4 compounds. The compounds shown in FIG. 8 were prepared as follows:

Preparation of Carborane Compounds

1) Preparation of 8A: ‘Z-Compound’—1,4-bis(phenylorthocarboranyl)benzene

5.37 g (19.29 mmol) of 1,4-bis(phenylethynyl)benzene was partially dissolved in 50 ml of dry toluene, leaving a white slurry. 15.37 g (62.96 mmol) of B₁₀H₁₂ (DMS)₂ was added to the toluene slurry, which was then slowly heated. As the reaction reached 55-65° C., effervescence was noticed and after this subsided the reaction was heated to 90° C. At this point the solution was yellow and contained a small amount of white solid. The reaction was kept at 90° C., with periodic venting to remove nascent dms. The reaction was run for 45 hrs. Removal of the toluene left a sticky solid to which was added 80 ml of methanol. The flask was then heated to 80° C. and refluxed for 21 hours. The white solid was removed by filtration and washed with chilled methanol. The product was recrystallized from cyclohexane—yield 77%.

2) Preparation of 8C:—Tetrathallium Salt of 8A

0.598 g (0.99 mmol) of 1,4-bis(phenylorthocarboranyl)benzene and 0.583 g of 85% KOH pellets (8.85 mmol) were placed in a flask under N₂ and 40 ml of methanol was added. The reaction was then refluxed (80° C.) for five days. The unreacted para-bis(phenylorthocarboranyl)benzene was removed by filtration and the filtrate was cooled to room temperature 0.501 g (1.90 mmol) of TIOAc was dissolved in 10 ml of water and added to the filtrate, precipitating an off-white solid. After stirring overnight (15 hours) the cream solid was removed by filtration and washed with water. Yield 70%.

3) Preparation of 8B:—‘Meta-Z-Compound’ 1,3-di(phenylorthocarboranyl)benzene

8.51 g 1,3-di(phenylethynyl)benzene and 12.0 g (a 50% excess) of B₁₀H₁₂DMS₂ were suspended in 60 ml toluene which was then refluxed at 90° C. for 7 days. After cooling, the solvent was removed and 60 ml MeOH was added and reflux was resumed for a further 18 hours. Removal of MeOH, left the crude product, which was recrystallized from benzene. Yield 44%.

4) Preparation of 8D:—Tetrathallium Salt of 8B

This compound was prepared in the same way as Compound C.

Preparation of Metallacarboranes

1) Compounds of the type shown in FIG. 1 were prepared by the reaction of the tetrathallium salt of “Z compound” shown in FIG. 8C with two equivalents of (Ph₃P)₂HCl₂ (where M=Pt, Pd, Co, Ni) in dry THF at room temperature under dry nitrogen conditions for 1 hour (reaction appeared to be complete after about 10 minutes). The TlCl precipitated, leaving the desired product in solution. This air-stable product was filtered and pumped to dryness in vacuo giving yields of 40-75%. Compounds were characterised by IR, NMR, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry and magnetic measurements.

By way of example, Tl₄ [1,4-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₂C₆H₄] (328 mg, 0.25 mmol) was suspended in stirred thf (40 ml) under ambient conditions, and brown (PPh₃)₂Col₂ (420 mg, 0.50 mmol) was added. This immediately caused the formation of an off-white precipitate (Thallium (I) iodide), which turned grey on standing in air. After 30 minutes stirring, the bright green solution was isolated by filtration and the thf removed in vacuo, yielding Bis-Co (PPh₃)₂-1,4-(1-C₅H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₂C₆.

Appearance: Bright green powder

Yield: 311 mg, 75%

IR (KBr disc; v_(max)): 3052 w (phenyl CH stretch), 3026 vw (phenyl CH stretch), 3000 vw (phenyl CH stretch), 2962 vw (phenyl CH stretch), 2511 s,br (BH stretch), 1479 m (C═C stretch), 1435 s (C═C stretch), 1155 m (P—C stretch), 1121 s (phenyl i.p.def.), 1094 s (phenyl i.p.def.), 1070 m (phenyl i.p.def.), 743 s (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 725 m (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 693 vs (B—H stretch), 593 m (C—H wag)

Molar Magnetic Susceptibility (χM): 2.71 BM

E.A. Found C, 67.7; H, 5.5; C₉₄ H₉₂B₁₈P₄Co₂requires C, 68.1; H, 5.6.

2) The compound shown in FIG. 2 where M is Rh was prepared by reaction of the bis-potassium salt of the Z compound with two equivalents of (Ph₃P)₃RhCl in dry MeOH at room temperature under nitrogen conditions for 1 hour. The precipitate KCl was removed by filtration and the solution pumped to dryness to give the product in approximately 80% yield. Chacterisation was as for the FIG. 1 compounds.

More specifically, K₂ [1,4-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₁₀)₂C₆H₄] (448 mg, 0.15 mmol) was suspended in stirred thf (40 ml) under ambient conditions, and (PPh₃)₃RhCl (277 mg, 0.30 mmol) was added. This immediately caused the formation of a white precipitate (TICl), which turned grey on prolonged standing in air. After 30 minutes stirring, the orange solution was isolated by filtration and the thf removed in vacuo, yielding Bis-Rh(PPh₃)₃-1,4-(1-C₆H_(5—C) ₂B₉H₁₀)₂C₆H₄.

Appearance: Orange/red powder

Yield: 265 mg, 78%

IR (KBr disc; v_(max)): 3053 w (Phenyl CH stretch), 3022 vw (phenyl CH stretch), 2962 vw (phenyl CH stretch), 2517 s,br (BH stetch), 1482 m (C═C stretch), 1435 s (C═C stretch), 1191 s (P-C stretch), 1119 s (phenyl i.p.def.), 1093 m (phenyl i.p.def.). 1069 m (phenyl i.p.def.), 747 m (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 721 s (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 694 vs (BH stretch), 542 vs (C—H wag), 519 m (C—H wag).

NMR (C₆D₆): ¹H δ∝0.7-3.5 ppm (v.broad multiplet, BH), 7.4-7.7 (complex: multiplet of multiplets, phenyl CH), ³¹P δ=ppm 25.12 (s, free PPh₃), 30.72 (doublet of doublets, J,=146 Hz J_(b)=38 Hz, bound PPh₃), 47.6 (doublet of triplets, J_(a)=191 Hz J_(b)=37 Hz, bound PPh₃), 52.34 (d, J=195 Hz, bound PPh₃).

E.A. C, 66.3; H, 5.5; C₁₃₀B₁₈H₁₂₄P₆Rh₂ requires C, 68.2; H, 5.5.

3) The compound shown in FIG. 3 was prepared by the reaction of the Z compound with 2 equivalents of TICl₄ under nitrogen in dry THF at −78° C. for 15 minutes. The precipitated TlCl was separated by room temperature filtration and the desired product was obtained by removal of the solvent at 78% yield. Characterisation was as for the compounds of FIG. 1.

More specifically, Tl₄ [1,4-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₂H₉)₂C₆H₄] (263 mg, 0.20 mmol) was suspended in stirred thf (40 ml) under dry N₂ conditions, and TiCl₄ (77 mg, 0.41 mmol) was added. This immediately caused the formation of a white precipitate (TlCl), which turned grey on prolonged standing in air. After 30 minutes stirring, the red solution was isolated by filtration and the thf removed in vacuo, yielding Bis-TlCl₂-1,4-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₂C₆H₄.

Appearance: Brick red powder

Yield: 115 mg, 79%

IR (KBr disc; v_(max)): 3020 w (phenyl CH stretch), 2956 w phenyl CH stretch), 2935 vw (phenyl CH stretch). 2524 vs,br (BH stretch), 1470 s (C═C stretch), 1444 s,br (C═C stretch), 1115 s (phenyl i.p.def.), 1016 m (phenyl o.p.def.), 719 vs,br (BH stretch), 648 m (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 620 m (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 550 m (C—H wag).

NMR (C₆D₆): ¹H δ=1.0-4.0 ppm (v. broad multiplet, BH), 7.47 broad multiplet, phenyl CH); ¹¹B δ∝c. −40—+20 ppm (extremely broad signal, BH).

E.A. Found C, 27.5; H, 3.2; C₂₂B₁₂H₃₂Cl₄Ti₂ requires C, 25.8; H, 3.2.

4) Compounds of the type shown in FIG. 4 (where M is Zr, L is Cl, M is Zr, L is Cp, and M is Ti) were prepared by the reaction of the tetrathallium salt of 1,4-bis orthocarboranyl benzene with two equivalents of Cp_(x)MCl_(4-x) in dry THF at 78° C. under nitrogen for approximately 30 minutes. The precipitated TlCl was isolated by room temperature filtration and the desired products were obtained (yields 50-80%) by removal of the solvent in vacua. Characterisation was as for the compounds of FIG. 1.

By way of example, Tl₄ [1,4-(1-C₆h₅—C₂B₉H₉)₂C₆H₄] (196 mg, 0.15 mmol) was suspended in stirred thf (30 ml) under dry N₂ conditions, and Cp₂ZrCl₂ (88 mg, 0.30 mmol) was added. This immediately caused the formation of a white precipitate (TlCl), which turned grey on prolonged standing in air. After 30 minutes stirring, the purple solution was isolated by filtration and the thf removed in vacuo, yielding Bis-Zr(Cl)₂-1,4-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₂C₆H₄.

Appearance: Purple powder

Yield: 94 mg, 67% IR (KBr disc; v_(max)): 3020 w (phenyl CH stretch), 2956 w (phenyl CH stretch), 2926 m (Cp CH stretch), 2856 m (Cp CH stretch), 2522 vs,br (BH stretch), 1472 vs,br (C═C stretch), 1446 vs,br (C═stretch), 1115 s (phenyl i.p.def.), 1016 m (phenyl i.p.def.), 720 s,br (BH stretch), 649 m (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 619 m (Phenyl o.o.p.def.). 558 m (C—H wag).

NMR (CD₆D₆): ¹H δ=0.9- c. 4.1 ppm (v.broad multiplet, BH), 3.96 (singlet, Cp H, 7.47 (broad multiplet, phenyl CH); ¹¹B δ=c. −40-+20 ppm (extremely broad signal, BH).

E.A Found C, 40.1; H, 4.5; C₄₂B₁₈H₅₂Zr₂ requires C, 40.4; H, 4.2.

5) Compounds of the type shown in FIG. 5 were prepared by the reaction of the tetrathallium salt of Meta-Z-Compound (FIG. 8D) with two equivalents of (Ph₃P)₂MCl₂ (where M is Co, Pt, Pd) in dry THF at room temperature under nitrogen for 1 hour. The precipitated TlCl was removed by filtration and the desired products obtained by removal of the solvent in vacuo. Characterisation was as for the compounds of FIG. 1.

By way of example, Tl₄ [1,3-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₂C₆H₄] (263 mg, 0.20 mmol) was suspended in stirred thf (40 ml) under ambient conditions, and brown (PPh₃)₂CoI₂ (336 mg, 0.40 mmol) was added. This immediately caused the formation of a white recipitate (TlCl), which turned grey on prolonged standing in air. After 30 minutes stirring, the green solution was isolated by filtration and the thf removed in vacuo, yielding Bis-Co(PPh₃)₂-1,4(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₂C₆H₄.

Appearance: Apple green powder

Yield: 269 mg, 81%

IR (KBr disc; v_(max)): 3054 w (phenyl CH stretch), 3024 vw (phenyl CH stretch), 3008 vw (phenyl CH stretch), 2497 s,br (BH stretch), 1636 S (?), 1618 s (?), 1437 s (C═C stretch), 1357 m (C═C stretch) 1121 s (phenyl i.p.def.), 1070 m (phenyl i.p.def.), 999 m (phenyl o.o.p.def. ?), 921 m (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 724 vs (BH stretch), 693 s BH stretch), 542 s (C—H wag).

Molar Magnetic Susceptibility (χ_(M)): 2.68 BM

E.A. Found C, 67.7 5.8; C₉₄H₉₂B₁₈P₄Co₂ requires C, 68.1; H, 5.6.

6) The compound shown in FIG. 6 (M is Rh) was prepared by reaction of the bi-potassium salt of the Meta-Z-Compound with two equivalents of Rh(PPH₃)₃Cl in dry MeOH at room temperature under nitrogen for 1 hour. Precipitated TlCl was removed by filtration and the products isolated by removal of the solvent in vacuo (yield was approximately 40%). Characterisation was as for the compounds of FIG. 1.

7) The compound of FIG. 7 was prepared by the reaction of the hexathallium salt of 1,3,5-(1-H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₃C₆H₄) with three equivalents of (Ph₃P)₂MCl₂ (M is Pd) in dry THF at room temperature under nitrogen for 1 hour. After filtering off precipitated TlCl, the solution was pumped to dryness giving the desired product in 65% yield. Characterisation was as for the compounds of FIG. 1.

By way of example, Tl₆ [1,3,5-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₃C₆H₃] (192 mg. 0.10 mmol) was suspended in stirred thf (40 ml) under ambient conditions, and (PPh₃)₂PdCl₂ (140 mg, 0.20 m) was added. This immediately caused the formation of a white precipitate (TlCl), which turned grey on prolonged standing in air. After 30 minutes stirring, the purple solution was isolated by filtration and the thf removed in vacuo, yielding Tris-Pd(PPh₃)₂-1,3,5-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₃C₆H₃.

Appearance: Purple powder

Yield: 211 mg, 53%

IR (KBr disc; v_(max)): 3055 w (phenyl CH stretch), 3026 w (phenyl CH stretch), 2962 vw (phenyl CH stretch), 2533 vs,br (BH stretch), 1481 m (C═C stretch) 1435 vs (C═C stretch), 1186 m (P—C stretch), 1119 m (phenyl i.p.def.), 1097 m (phenyl i.p.def.), 1066 m (phenyl i.p.def.), 1027 w (phenyl i.p.def.), 747 m (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 722 m (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 693 vs (BH stretch), 542 m (C—H wag), 519 m (C—H wag), 508 s (C—H wag),

NMR (CDCl₃): ¹H δ=0.7-3.7 ppm (v.broad multiplet, BH), 7.38 (multiplet, phenyl CH); 7.41 (multiplet, phenyl CH, 7.49 (multiplet, phenyl CH, 7.66 (multiplet, phenyl CH); ¹¹B δ=−35 -+15 ppm (extremely broad signal, BH); ³¹P δ=237.5 ppm (broad s, bound PPh₃).

E.A. Found C, 63.2; H, 5.0, C₁₃₀B₂₇H₁₂₂P₆Pd₃ requires C, 64.4; H, 5.3

8) This example illustrates preparation of an actinide—containing compound. Tl₄ [1,4-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₂C₆H₄] (261 mg, 0.20 mmol) was suspended in dry thf (30 ml) under anhydrous N₂ conditions. In a separate Schlenk tube dark green UCl₄ (152 mg, 0.40 mmol) was dissolved in a dry, degassed 1:4 mixture of HMPA and thf (25 ml). Addition of this solution to the original suspension (via cannula) caused the formation of a white precipitate (TlCl), which turned grey on prolonged standing in air. After 30 minutes stirring the green solution was isolated by filtration and the thf removed in vacuo, leaving a solution of Bis-U(Cl₂)₂-1,4-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₂C₆H₄ in HMPA. The HMPA solvent was removed by repeated washing by water (3×20 ml), followed by removal of residual H₂O in vacuo, giving pure Bis-U(Cl₂-1,4-(1-C₆H₅—C₂B₉H₉)₂C₆H₄ bis HMPA adduct.

Appearance: Light green powder

Yield: 170 mg, 58%

IR (KBr disc; v_(max)): 3018 w (phenyl CH stretch), 2956 m (methyl CH stretch), 2520 vs,br (BH stretch), 1488 m (C—N stretch) 1471 s (C—N stretch), 1448 s (C═C stretch), 1290 s, br (P═O stretch), 1113 s (phenyl i.p.def.), 1013 m (phenyl i.p.def.), 980 vs (P—N stretch), 721 vs,br (BH stretch), 620 m (phenyl o.o.p.def.), 555 m (C—H wag).

NMR (C₆D₆): ¹H δ=0.9-4.0 ppm (v.broad multiplet, BH, 2.39 (s, CH ₃), 7.45 (broad multiplet, phenyl CH).

E.A. Found C, 27.5; H, 4.8; N, 5.7; C₃₄B₁₈H₆₈N₆Cl₄P₂U₂ requires C, 27.8; H, 4.7; N, 5.7

Metallacarboranes as catalysts

The compound of FIG. 2 where M is Rh was used as a catalyst in the hydrogen of cyclohexene to cyclohexene with hydrogen at room temperature and pressure. After 24 hours the percentage conversion was at least 95%. The solvent used was benzene. The catalyst was recovered and found to be unaltered and reusable.

The same catalyst was also used in the conversion of allylacetone to hexane-2-one with hydrogen. The conditions were as described above and it was found that there was greater than 95% conversion of the C═C bond whereas there was no conversion of the C═O bond.

The compound of FIG. 3 was used in a catalyst in the polymersation of ethene at room temperature and pressure. Two equivalents of methyl aluminoxane were added as co-catalyst. An amount of 5 mg catalyst was used. Although the reaction was not taken to completion, an amount of 253 mg polyethylene (mpt 136° C.) was obtained 

What is claimed is:
 1. A polynuclear compound comprising two or more carbon-bonded metal-hapto-3-capped nidocarborane groups.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein at least one other metal coordination site is filled by a monodentate ligand.
 3. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound has an oligomeric or a cyclic structure.
 4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound includes two or three nidocarborane groups.
 5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein two or more nidocarborane groups are linked together by a phenyl, pyridyl, triazyl, B(OH), CO, SO, CH₂, or B(Ph) group.
 6. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the carborane units are substituted or linked in the 1,3, 1,4 or 1,5 (ie ortho, meta or para) positions.
 7. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the metal is an F-block metal, Rh, Co, Mn, Ru, Pd, Fe, Ni, Pt, Cr, Mo or W.
 8. A method of carrying out a chemical reaction in which a polynuclear compound comprising two or more metal-hapto-3-capped nidocarborane groups acts as a catalyst in the reaction.
 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the reaction is a hydrogenation reaction.
 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the compound is a rhodium compound.
 11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the reaction is an oxidation reaction.
 12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the compound is a uranium compound.
 13. A method according to claim 8, wherein at least one other metal coordination site is filled by a monodentate ligand.
 14. A method according to claim 8, wherein the compound has an oligomeric or a cyclic structure.
 15. A method according to claim 8, wherein the compound includes two or three nidocarborane groups.
 16. A method according to claim 8, wherein the two or more nidocarborane groups are linked together by a phenyl, pyridyl, triazyl, B(OH), CO, SO, CH₂, or B(Ph) group.
 17. A method according to claim 8, wherein the carborane units are substituted or linked in the 1,3, 1,4, or 1,5 positions.
 18. A method according to claim 8, wherein the metal is an F-block metal, Ph, Co, Mn, Ru, Pd, Fe, Ni, Pt, Cr, Mo, or W. 